State Roundup: June 2 headlines from around Illinois

The Southern: A look at bills Illinois lawmakers passed this session

Illinois’ 11-month budget impasse dominated talks around the Capitol and the state during the legislative session that concluded Tuesday. But lawmakers also considered a number of non-budget measures and sent them to the governor.

Chicago Tribune: Chicago police contracts: An untenable bargain

Again and again, cops accused of abusing civilians have gotten a pass from the police oversight system and the state’s attorney’s office. They’re back on the street, with nary a blemish on their records, while their victims collect millions in civil damages from the city.

That’s largely because the contracts between the city and its police unions are loaded with provisions that shield bad cops from accountability. An officer involved in a shooting has 24 hours to coordinate stories with others at the scene before giving a statement, for example — and can amend that statement later after viewing video of the shooting. Disciplinary records older than five years are supposed to be destroyed. Anonymous complaints against an officer are disregarded. Findings of misconduct that don’t result in significant punishment are purged from an officer’s record. Investigators are absurdly constrained in how they may question an officer: “The primary interrogator will not ask any questions until the secondary interrogator has finished asking questions and invites the primary interrogator to ask follow-up questions …” That’s not about due process; it’s about tying the hands of investigators or generating a technical violation that could get a complaint tossed.

So far, the state’s colleges, universities and social services have been among the hardest hit by the stalemate, which dates back to July of last year. With no funding appropriated and no budget solution in sight, schools across the state may not be able to open in the fall. And if the impasse continues, already cash-strapped social service agencies and not-for-profit programs will continue to be strained and could be forced to close or lay off workers.

ABC: Illinois Budget Fight Shifts to November Elections

After finishing another legislative session without agreeing on a budget, Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois’ ruling Democrats began looking for other options Wednesday even as they focus on November and trying to convince voters the other side is to blame for the state’s enormous fiscal mess.

Just hours after lawmakers adjourned their spring session, Rauner and fellow Republicans began touring the state, bashing Democrats.

But there’s huge political risk for both sides leading up to the general election. As Senate President John Cullerton put it late Tuesday: “(Rauner) is in trouble, just like we’re in trouble.”

Sun-Times: Emanuel likens Rauner to Donald Trump for blame-game tour

“Schools across Illinois need a leader‎ and instead, Bruce Rauner is following the Donald Trump playbook of demonizing one group of people for his political advantage,” the mayor was quoted as saying in an emailed statement.